A vibrant ‘Hamilton’ invades Miami
By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — At this time, drama students do not have license to mount a production of the musical phenomenon, Hamilton. But just you wait — just you wait! Once youngsters, many of whom are committed activists these days, get their chance to climb into passionate,...
‘Happy Days’ at Thinking Cap Theatre thanks to bravura production
Photo by Nicole Stodard Despite Winnie’s odd situation, she finds reason to smile. In Thinking Cap Theatre’s production, Karen Stephens (pictured) plays the character. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — A man with much physical difficulty tries to reach the love of his life. Naturally, she seems...
Humor and humanity are in ‘Groundhog Day’s’ forecast
Photo by Rodrigo Balfanz Phil Connors (Clay Cartland) gets to know Rita Hanson (Kimmi Johnson) in the Slow Burn Theatre Co./Broward Center for the Arts co-production of Groundhog Day: The Musical. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — Whoever said “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”...
‘Evita’ proves particularly timely in Wick Theatre’s laudable production
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Eva Peron (Daniella Mass) shows her supposed love for the Argentine people in The Wick Theatre’s production of Evita. By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON, Fla. — As divided as the United States might be, Americans can agree on this much: People either hate or love...
‘Aladdin’ still astonishes with visuals, while offering enough substance
Photo by Deen van Meer The titular character (Jonah Ho’Okano) and Jasmine (Kaena Kekoa) share an intimate moment in a national equity touring production of Aladdin. By AARON KRAUSE FT. LAUDERDALE — The musical Aladdin might transport us to a “whole new world,” but the show also presents...
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ sweet, not scrumptious
Photo by Jeremy Daniel Willy Wonka (Cody Garcia, far right) shows visitors his chocolate factory. By AARON KRAUSE MIAMI — Remember Willy Wonka’s chewing gum? When it assumes a blueberry pie flavor, problems arise. Well, the stage musical version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is also problematic. To...
‘Everything is Super Great’ is a relatable, touching new play
Julia Rose Photo Tommy (Christian Mouisset) and Alice (Rachel Michelle Bryant) appear in a scene from the co-world premier production of Everything is Super Great. By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON — There isn’t necessarily an art to dealing with difficult life situations. Rather, different people have their own way of...
Wick Theatre’s ‘The Music Man’ mesmerizes
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio John Tartaglia works his magic as Harold Hill in The Wick Theatre’s production of The Music Man. By AARON KRAUSE BOCA RATON –Before Lin-Manuel Miranda there was Meredith Willson. Sure, Miranda’s bold use of non-traditional musical genres in Hamilton may have changed...
This ‘Forum’ is a hoot at MNM Theatre Company
Photo by Amy Pasquantonio Johnbarry Green (left) appears as Pseudolus and Michael Scott Ross as Hysterium in MNM Theatre Company’s production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. By AARON KRAUSE WEST PALM BEACH — “Think of musical comedy, the most glorious words in the English...
Inaugural Broadway in Broward season starts with compelling ‘West Side Story’
Photo by Carol Kassie Jacob Tarconish appears as Tony and Alexa Lopez as Maria in West Side Story at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center By AARON KRAUSE LAUDERHILL — It is virtually impossible to walk away from West Side Story without vividly remembering something. Indeed, whether it’s the strongly...